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Precision Software Appli…tions Silver Collection 1
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Precision Software Applications Silver Collection Volume One (PSM) (1993).iso
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HAMRADIO.INF
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1987-07-30
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129 lines
I. What is Ham Radio ?
Ham radio is a hobby in which people communicate with each other across
town and across the world by radio. "Ham" is an informal term for amateur
radio operator. The origins of the terms are obscure.
Hams communicate on many bands. The High Frequency, or "shortwave" bands,
permit hams to talk to each other throughout the world. The Very High
bands permit permit hams to talk to each other as they travel across town in
their cars. The microwave frequencies permit state of the art experimentation.
Hams use many "modes" to communicate with each other. They send and
receive messages in Morse code; talk to each other on AM, FM, and single
sideband (SSB); talk to each other through repeaters; send and receive
television pictures in slow scan and fast scan modes; talk to each other
through satellites and by bouncing their signals off the meteor trails and
the moon; communicate with each other using radioteletype like used by
Western Union; and communicate using their computers (packet radio).
Isn't ham radio kind of like CB? Yes, to the extent that they both
use radios. But hams can use more power (1000 watts), talk on more
bands, use many modes as mentioned above, and, most importantly, understand
how radio works. Besides that you will not be embarrassed to let your
6 year old listen to the ham bands like you would on the CB channels.
But isn't it expensive! Sure it can be; but so can fishing. You can
spend lots of money on the fanciest new commercially-built equipment, but
you can buy perfectly good used equipment at a reasonable price. If you
want to experience ham radio at its classic best, you can "home brew" your
own transmitters and receivers (not as hard as it sounds). But the least
inexpensive way is to borrow equipment. Many hams have older equipment
that they would be happy to lend you while you are learning. All you have
to do is ask! It's hard to find a ham who is not anxious to help someone
become a ham. Most of all ham radio is helping others enjoy a fascinating
hobby.
Most importantly, ham radio is a worldwide fraternity in which you will
have an instant friend wherever you go. The SYSOP has knocked on the doors
of houses with ham antennas in foreign countries and has been treated like
visiting royalty. Try that trick with anyone else.
II. How to Become a Ham
A. The Requirements
In order to become a ham you will need to pass an examination on radio
theory and on receipt of Morse code. There are several grades of licenses,
each with increasing privileges, and each having different theory tests and
code speed requirements. The Novice Class License requires a simple theory
exam and a code speed of 5 words per minute (that's really slow). The
General Class License requires a slightly harder exam and a code speed of
13 words per minute. The Technician Class License is intermediate the
Novice and General Class Licenses in that you do not have to take a harder
code test but you do have to pass the General Class theory exam. The
Advanced Class License requires a bit tougher theory exam than the General
Class but no additional code test. The Extra Class License requires the
the most complex exam and a code speed of 20 words per minute. There
has even been talk in recent years about a code-free license class, but
that has not yet been approved, although many people believe it is just
around the corner.
B. Learning the Theory
How can you learn the theory and code? There are several ways. For
the theory you can buy or borrow a book and study by yourself. The American
Radio Relay League (ARRL) publishes many books to teach you what you need
to know, and many of these are found in public libraries. You can also
find a ham (known as an "Elmer") who will personally tutor you. Finally
you can attend a formal course usually given by a local ham club.
C. Learning the Morse Code
For the code, since you obviously have a computer, you can let your
computer teach you using CW.COM. If that doesn't work, there are numerous
code practice tapes available in ham stores and magazines.
D. Taking the Test
What about the test? Don't you have to go to Washington, or Chicago, or
some place like that? No, you don't even have to go to a government office
anymore. Most local ham clubs have volunteers who are authorized to give
amateur radio examinations. Most ham conventions and swapfests (basically
a flea market for ham and electronic equipment) make arrangements to give
examinations to interested people.
E. Obtaining Radio Equipment
How about equipment? Isn't ham radio expensive. It can be, but so can
fishing. You can pay thousands of dollars for commercially-made radios, but
you can also buy perfectly good used equipment for a few hundred dollars and
sometimes less. Some hams will even lend you used equipment while you are
learning. If you really want to experience what it is truly like to be a
ham, you can built your own radios (not as hard as it sounds).
F. Further Information
1. American Radio Relay League
ARRL
225 Main Street
Newington, CT 06111
Tel.: 203-666-1541
2. Magazines
CQ - Contest oriented
Ham Radio - Technically oriented
QST - official magazine of the ARRL
73 - Construction oriented.
These magazines are available from most ham radio and many
electronic parts stores. In addition, some are often found on magazine racks
at larger bookstores, newsdealers, and supermarkets.
73 de WD5CID,
Lee Murrah
10 Cottage Grove Woods, S.E.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
(319) 395-8208